Sinusitis is a sinus infection usually caused by a virus, bacteria or an allergy. We speak of chronic sinusitis if the inflammation lasts more than 3 months in the year. Explanations with Dr. Camille Hervé, ENT.
Definition: what is chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is a inflammation of the sinuses that lasts at least three months a year.
What are the symptoms of chronic sinusitis?
Symptoms are usually pain, headache, rhinorrhea (a discharge from the nose), a feeling of pressure inside the face, dental pain or a feeling of congestion.
What causes chronic sinusitis?
Chronic sinusitis is most often of infectious origin (bacterial, viral or fungal) but maybe also inflammatory or caused by allergies. “Having repeated inflammation causes the sinus lining to malfunction. A mechanical obstruction, such as a deviation of the wall, is an aggravating cause. A congestion added to a mechanical obstruction then prevents the sinuses from emptying naturally“, explains Dr. Camille Hervé, ENT.
When and who to consult in case of chronic sinusitis?
Consult your general practitioner then an ENT as soon as you suffer from chronic headaches, obstruction or nasal congestion.
“Diagnosis is first clinical. We question the patient, tracking all the signs of sinusitis. An examination of the nasal cavity is often carried out thanks to the nasofibroscopy. We may also be required to carry out a sinus scan but this is not systematic.”
What treatment to treat chronic sinusitis?
The treatment to combat chronic sinusitis is mainly local and medical. It consists of applying nasal corticosteroids and washing the nasal cavities with salt water or physiological saline. If the cause is allergic, antihistamines may be prescribed.
When to consider an operation for chronic sinusitis?
If a mechanical obstruction is observed, it is possible to resort to the surgery. In this case, “the ostium is opened in order to to enlarge the natural evacuation of the sinuses. This can relieve congestion-related pain like headaches. However it does not prevent the flow”.
What are the natural remedies to relieve chronic sinusitis?
Seawater sprays and physiological saline are natural and have anti-inflammatory properties. Eucalyptus essential oil can also be useful to relieve sinusitis because, according to the WHO, eucalyptus would have benefits on the respiratory tract.
Thanks to Dr. Camille Hervé, ENT.